Sharks Trade Sturm to Panthers

DENVER — The San Jose Sharks have traded Nico Sturm.

The Sharks have sent Sturm and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Florida Panthers for a 2026 fourth-round pick.

The San Jose Sharks signed Sturm, 29, to a three-year contract in the summer of 2022.

Since then, the fan favorite has been a reliable two-way center and an always candid quote, through good times and bad, mostly bad.

Sturm has recorded six goals and 13 points for the Sharks this season. He also leads the NHL with a 62.7 Faceoff Win %.

In recent weeks, Nico Sturm seemed resigned to the idea that he was going to get dealt: “You’re a 29-year-old UFA with no extension in place. You got to be realistic about it.”

Sturm has also played for the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, winning a Stanley Cup with the Avs in 2022.

Sturm was in Denver and said his good-byes as the San Jose Sharks were beginning their morning skate, in preparation for their game against the Avalanche tonight.

The defending champion Panthers next play on Mar. 8, hosting the Buffalo Sabres.

It’s the second trade that the San Jose Sharks have made with Florida this week: Yesterday, they sent goalie Vitek Vanecek to the Sunshine State for Patrick Giles.

For what it’s worth, pending UFA Sturm did not close the door to returning to the Sharks as a free agent: “It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no possibility of me coming back here in the summer.”